Happy Real Weddings Wednesday, folks! Today, we are celebrating the fun that is Heather and Wayne’s wedding! We’re talking gorgeous floral designs, fun (and fruity!) photos — thanks to the lovely Danielle Alysse Photography, and beautiful rentals from Celebrations! Party Rentals & Tents. Keep scrolling for more. Happy Wednesday, and happy reading!

Photo of the house where the bride and her bridesmaids are getting ready.

Florals sitting atop a table, in jars.

Wedding dress hanging up in the front of the house.

Bride getting ready from far away.

Bride posing with her hand on the doorframe, looking down.

Bride and her friend laughing as he is wearing a fake wedding dress to prank the groom for their first look.

Groom combing his hair in the mirror.

Groom posing and looking out the window with sunglasses on.

Groom and his groomsmen posing with their hands in their pockets.

Tell us a little about you and your beloved.

We met at work in 2007 and were drawn together immediately. We remained close friends for over a decade, until Heather visited me during the pandemic from Sacramento to New Orleans. The moment we saw each other we knew we were still in love after all this time and that we wanted to be together forever. I proposed in front of a waterfall in a bamboo forest on the Hana Road in Maui on May 29th, 2021 on Heather’s birthday. From there we planned our own wedding and chose our own vendors among our friend group to help for our big day.

Groom waiting for his bride, when it's actually his friend in a dress.

Bride and groom holding hands, while facing away from each other.

Sign celebrating Heather and Wayne's wedding ceremony.

Groom waiting for his bride.

Photo of the wedding venue with guests seated, waiting to hear from the officiant.

Bride and groom holding hands at the altar.

Couple kissing after saying "I do".

Bride and groom cheering as they walk down the aisle.

Bride groom posing with their guests and bridal party.

What was the best part of your wedding day?

For me, it was the reveal seeing Heather in her beautiful dress for the first time (yes, I totally cried). Together our favorite part was both the first dance (which we totally practiced for in our living room) and the speeches given by my dad, Heather’s sister, and my best friend/best man.

Groom posing and holding up his ring finger to the camera.

Bride leading her husband down the sidewalk.

Far away photo of the newlyweds kissing.

What else would you like to share about your big day?

Having everyone we loved in the same building celebrating our love was the most amazing thing. It was one of the happiest day of our lives.

Reception venue with multiple round tales and chairs.

Bride and groom walking into the reception venue holding hands and cheering.

Newlywed groom smiling at his wife.

Newlyweds sitting at their sweet heart table and smiling with their rinks.

Black and white photo of the guests cheersing.

Bride and groom taking sunset photos, kissing with floral crowns and necklaces on.

Groom pressing his forehead into his bride's cheek.

Bride and groom pretending to throw oranges at each other.

What advice would you give to our readers who are planning their weddings right now?

We enjoyed the learning process of planning our own wedding and piecing together vendors, but in the end we spent about the same amount of money that we would have if we had bought a package. Looking back we would have saved a lot of time if we had gone that route. Personalization is great, but if you don’t want to spend hundreds of hours going the DIY route, pay for a planner and a package.

Newlyweds dancing together at their reception.

Bride and groom swirling around dancing.

Photos courtesy of and copyright Danielle Alysse Photography used with permission.

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